"Okay Ivaan, let's go over these word pockets for your vocabulary quiz next week," I say, settling onto the living room carpet across from my little bug.

Ivaan nods eagerly, excited to learn new words. I smile noticing his bright eyes, and flip over the first card. 

"Affable. It means pleasant and friendly," I explain.

"Affable!" Ivaan repeats loudly, writing down the word with a toothy grin. 

We continue reviewing the words, Ivaan trying to soak up each and every definition.

my phone suddenly starts ringing out loudly from the coffee table, startling us both. I hold up a finger to pause our lesson.

"One second, Baby." I reach up for the phone, not recognizing the number on the screen.

I answer hesitantly," Hello?"

"Is this Ishika?" A gruff male voice answers.

"Yes, who's this?" I ask, my brows scrunch, unsure of who this unfamiliar caller is.

"Raj. Your payment of the debt to the Bashar's is past due." He states bluntly. I feel the colour drain from my face at the mention of Bashar's.

I glance at Ivaan who is watching me curiously.

"Bubba, you revise. I'll be back in few minutes." I give him an assuring smile before quickly stepping out of the room.

"I know the payment is past due. But please if you could give me a month mor-"

He cuts me off sharply. "No more extensions. The loan should have been paid last year. Now Bashar wants the full amount by end of Friday. No excuses this time." I grip the phone tightly, a familiar flutter of unease filling my stomach.

"Please, I just need a little more time, I have a child to care for-"

"Not my problem," Raj interjects coldly. "Have the money by Friday or  Bashar will get it himself, one way or another." The threat in his tone makes my blood run cold. The call ends abruptly before I can respond.

I stand frozen in the hallway, remembering the terrifying day I pushed myself into this trap.

Five years ago...

I fight back my tears as I exit the admin office, Divya refused to pay my college fees and living expenses. The administrator has coldly informed me that without the semester fees, I'd be dropped from my courses within 2 weeks.

And even my flat owner has given me an ultimatum to either empty the property or pay the rent within a week.

Refusing to give up so easily, I hastily reach for my phone, my fingers fumbling over the screen as I dial Di's number once again. It rings once, twice, and then her voice echoes through the receiver, " I am busy Ishika."

"Di," I manage to choke out, my voice betraying the panic gripping me.

 "I-I need your help, please."

There's a pause of few seconds on the other end of the line, "I can't."

"Mumma gave you the responsibility of my studies after her retirement. And this is how you hold up to your words," I spat out in resentment.

"You lived up to your dreams, and now when it's my turn you're refusing."

Her tone turns icy. "I told you, I'm done supporting you financially. I have my own dreams, and I am not going to sabotage them anymore because of you."

I feel my desperation rising. "But Di, I have nowhere else to turn. Please, I'm begging you, don't do this!"

"Enough, Ishika!" Di snaps. "Find your own way to pay the fees or drop out, I don't care anymore."

My grip tightens around the phone, my knuckles turning white with the pressure of my anger.

"You have no idea how much you've hurt me," I spit out the words, each word dripping with the venom of my fury. 

"After everything we've been through, after all the times I've been there for you..." I struggle to keep my voice steady.

"And I did what I could for you, not anymore." The line goes dead as she hangs up abruptly.

I stare at the phone in disbelief, feeling utterly abandoned by my own sister.

"How can she do this to me?" I whisper to myself, my voice cracking with emotion. "After everything we've been through... after all those promises..."

 "We were supposed to be there for each other," I murmur, my voice trembling. "But now... now she's just abandoning me when I need her the most."

With a shaky breath, I try to push aside the pain. I have to focus on finding a solution, on finding a way to get through this on my own.

Asking mumma is out of option, she has retired  last month itself and I can't tell  her about di abandoning me like this.

My mind swirls, trying to figure out how to come up with 15 lakh in 14 days. 

An official education loan will take too long to process now. And Papa, huhh, I have no expectations from him.

Wandering across the courtyard in a daze, I notice Aryan waving me over. He is a senior from my society who throw a lot of parties. 

"Hey Ishika, you look stressed. Come hang out with us, take your mind off it," he suggests with a charming smile.

Too emotionally exhausted to refuse, I let him lead me to his group under a large tree.

But as afternoon fades to dusk, my anxiety returns. Sensing my change in mood, Aryan asked what was up. In my dejected state, I find myself confessing about my financial issue.

Aryan shake his head sympathetically. "That's rough...you know." He glanced around before continuing quietly. "But I am in contacts with Bashar's who lends urgent money, but they are into seedy business and in exchange of money they can ask you anything only if you fail to repay. If you want I can introduce you."

I am not sure what he means by that, but I need this money. I can't drop out. I'll deal with any loan shark if it keeps my life floating.

The next morning we go to the said address of Bashars. When we reach the place, I see a beautiful mansion coming into view built of bricks.

Aryan squeezes my shoulder. "I'll let Bashar explain the details. Good luck. He know you're coming." Dread bubbled within me, but I was already in too deep. Taking a deep breath, I entered the snake's lair.

In front of me is a gentleman, who looks a lot older than me, standing in front of the door. 

"Good morning, how can I help you?" 

"I'm here to see Bashar. Aryan sent me." 

"I'll let him know you are here. And your name is?" 

"Ishika." He let's me in, and leaves me standing in the foyer. On the there is a man dressed in a three piece suit drinking scotch, and a gorgeous women wearing lingerie sitting near his feet. 

Before I am able to process the scene the man returns back, "He will see you." I nod. We head in the opposite direction of the couple cozying it up near the fireplace.

He opens the door, "Boss, Ishika." 

"Close the door behind you." I walk into the room only to meet with one of the most beautiful men I have ever seen. He's dressed in a suit that fits him to perfection with no tie. 

He gestures me to have a seat, his face showing no sign of emotion.

"How may I help you?" Okay, I think I have to get straight to the point.

"I need a loan of fifteen lakhs and Aryan told me you could help." I try my best not show how scared I am right now.

"Hmm... Did he tell you what I accept for collateral?" 

"No," I choke out. 

"Women. If at any point you can't pay me back the fixed monthly payment you will be required to work it off at my voyeur's Club?" 

VOYEUR'S CLUB. My eyes widen in shock. Dammit, why the hell did I listen to Aryan. 

"Okey."  No it's not. But I will return him back the cash as soon as my funds mature.

"Before handling you cash I will need to run a background check. Anything you need to tell me?" 

"No." 

"Okay, as long as your background check's okay, I will loan you the money. But, before that you'll need to sign some paperwork."

"okeyy..."

He does something on his phone and the man who escorted me here, walks back in. "Boss." 

"Raj, run a check on Ms. Ishika's credit, and if all is clear, ready the paperwork for a loan of fifteen lakh with thirty percent interest."

 "Thirty percent? Are you serious? I'll be stuck paying this off for an eternity."

 "You better not because you only have three years to pay it back." Fucking shit! How much will be my monthly payment? I'll have to do extra jobs for the money. 

"Should we proceed with it?" 

"Yes." I nod my head. I can't step back now.

 "She can have money." Raj comes back a few minutes later with the paperwork. 

Bashar pushes the contract towards me, My stomach twists with fear. But Divya's icy glare surfaces in my mind, making me remember my desperation. 

If this was the only way to save my education, I have no choice. With trembling hands, I sign away my freedom.

 "Ishika, please remember you are now dealing with the big Shark. You don't pay me back my money and you will be my property."  My blood runs cold, listening those words.

"I understand."

Now here I stand years later - broke, desperate, and still waiting for my funds to mature so that I can repay him the whole amount.

I take a deep breath to calm myself, I have to find a way out of this mess, at any cost.

Slowly I walk back to the living room, forcing a smile on my face I sit back across from Ivaan. He looks up at me with innocent eyes, unaware of the nightmare I'm living through.

"You fine?" he asks.

I reach out and ruffle his hair affectionately. "Of course, bacha. Now, where were we?"

I pick up the cards again, trying my best to focus on teaching Ivaan. But my mind is constantly running back to the thoughts of Bashar and my dented account.

Should I ask some of my old college friends? No...I can't do that, I have cut ties with most of them after graduation. They are near strangers to me, and secondly why would they help me.

Later that evening, after tucking Ivaan to bed, I go through my bills and other account details. Adding up the recent amount I took from them I still have seven lakh due on me.

These digits might not be that big, but to arrange them within two weeks seem impossible.

         --------------------------------------------

I lay curled up on my bed. Tears slip silently down my cheeks as I stare into the darkness enveloping the room. It's too much, everything- the loan, family problems, Ivaan's needs, my marriage. I just feel so alone and incapable seeing everything crashing down upon me.

I squeeze my eyes shut and bury my face in the pillow, I need comfort and reassurance now more than ever. These four lonely walls are gnawing at my mind. I want to scream out for someone, anyone, to take this crushing weight off my chest.

           To be continued...



Hello Reader's...

So did you all like the chapter?

Finally Ishika's reasons are out.

What do think of Bashar and Diya?

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